The newest contraceptive option - the Vaginal Ring

If you want the newest, easy to use, once a month contraceptive method, ask your doctor about the vaginal ring. The vaginal ring is a new contraceptive method that offers protection against pregnancy without the inconvenience of barrier methods, spermicides or remembering to take a daily pill.

How does it work?

The ring is a unique "combined" hormonal contraceptive method which consists of a flexible, transparent, plastic ring of about 2 inches (5.4 cm) in diameter and about 1/8" (4 mm) thick. The ring contains hormones; estrogen and a progestogen, similar to the ones found in combined oral contraceptives (the pill). You insert the ring into the vagina yourself, this is very easy to do. The ring is left in place for 3 consecutive weeks, the same number of days that is in one cycle of oral contraceptive pills. During this period it releases a steady low dose of hormones which prevent pregnancy by stopping the release of a mature egg (ovulation).After three weeks, you remove the ring. During a ring-free period of 1 week you have your menstrual period. You insert a new ring after this week for another three weeks and so on.

How effective is it?

When used as directed, the ring provides a reliable and high degree of protection against pregnancy. The reliability is comparable to that of the pill. The exact position of the ring in the vagina is not critical for its action. As long as it feels comfortable the ring is in the right position and will release the hormones necessary for contraception.